Mechatronics, Electrical Power, and Vehicular Technology
Vol 16, No 1 (2025)

Automatic water droplet splash photography: Design and analysis of an Arduino-controlled solenoid triggering device

Khamdi, Nur (Unknown)
Nasution, Henry (Unknown)
Mulyadi, Mulyadi (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jul 2025

Abstract

Capturing transient water droplet splashes poses significant challenges due to their millisecond-scale corona formations, with manual methods achieving only 3 % success rates. This study developed an Arduino-based automated photography system that integrates a solenoid-driven droplet generator and optocoupler-triggered camera to address this limitation. The device calculates droplet impact timing using gravitational acceleration by synchronizing solenoid activation and camera triggering via an Arduino Nano. Experimental trials at a 50 cm droplet height demonstrated 100 % capture accuracy at 105 ms delays, outperforming manual methods (6 % success). Photographer evaluations rated splash aesthetics at 50 cm as optimal (9/10), emphasizing crown symmetry and height. The optocoupler-based system achieved sub-millisecond response times, surpassing electromechanical alternatives. By reducing memory waste from failed captures by 94 %, this approach enhances efficiency in high-speed macro photography. These results validate the system’s reliability for studying fluid dynamics and surface interactions, offering a scalable framework for automated imaging applications in scientific and artistic domains.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mev

Publisher

Subject

Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Description

Mechatronics, Electrical Power, and Vehicular Technology (hence MEV) is a journal aims to be a leading peer-reviewed platform and an authoritative source of information. We publish original research papers, review articles and case studies focused on mechatronics, electrical power, and vehicular ...